'Mohammed Siraj and the passion of the Indian boys was too strong and ultimately they deserve to win this Test match.'
India roared back into contention on an exhilarating day two of the fifth and final Test at The Oval on Friday as their seamers restricted England to a 23-run lead.
As Team India gear up for the much-anticipated Test series against England starting on Friday, several players in the squad will draw confidence from their county cricket experience.
Shubman Gill scored a record-breaking 269 and their seamers struck early to put the tourists in a commanding position at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Another India lower-order collapse gave England a fighting chance of a thrilling victory in the first Test at Headingley on Monday, with the hosts 21/0 in their second innings at the close of play on day four, chasing 371 to win.
England head coach Brendon McCullum believes India have arrived well-prepared and full of belief for the upcoming five-match Test series
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 1st Test between England and India at Headingley in Leeds on Monday.
Post-lunch, Pant brought up his half-century with a single before launching his third maximum, cementing his reputation as one of the game's most fearless stroke-makers in red-ball cricket.
'The wicket was a little spicy, so I was having a lot of fun batting.'
'I just think we'll find another way to do it.'
India finished Day 3 on 90/2 to lead England by 96 runs at stumps in the opening Test on Sunday after England were dismissed for 465 in the first innings.
What makes this team special is their ability to fight till the end, asserts veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar. This team has announced that England's standard is not alarmingly high and, unlike in the past, they can be beaten on their home wickets, asserts veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
India finished day three of the second Test on 64/1 to lead England by 244 runs after they dismissed the hosts for 407 in the first innings at Edgbaston on Friday.
'We want pace on the ball, we want the ball to bounce and we want the ball to carry through so that when we're batting, we can be aggressive, we can attack, and we can put pressure back on the bowlers.'
Atkinson, who is playing his first Test of the series following a hamstring strain, said that he is "ready to push the limits" in case Woakes does not take any further part.
'Look, when someone comes back into the Test side like he does after a lengthy absence, the pressure is always there, and I think he has handled that very well.'
Atherton reckons that in his three years at the helm, the series against India is Stokes' sternest test of leadership qualities.
'It's also a great opportunity for myself and it's good to pass on a little bit of knowledge to the younger guys who haven't played as much Test cricket. And I am also learning from them.'
Siraj was the day's hero and India have pulled ahead, but England are not out of the contest by any stretch of imagination.
Even as the conditions changed, bright sunshine alternating with gloom, the Indian batters gritted their teeth and fought it out.
From Jasprit Bumrah's much-anticipated return to the all-rounder conundrum, the playing XI could very well hold the key to seizing control of this historic series.
Rahane lauded Gill's temperament under pressure, especially after India had lost the opening Test.
India's historic first-ever Test win at Edgbaston by a massive 336 runs after losing the first Test was a triumph of Grit, Resilience, Excellence, Aggressiveness, and Tactfulness, a truly GREAT performance that will be remembered for years, asserts veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
Ahead of England's five-match Test series against India at home, head coach Brendon McCullum hailed young all-rounder Jacob Bethell
K L Rahul gained the requisite confidence and much-needed game time ahead of the upcoming five-Test series with a classy hundred for India A against a quality England Lions attack.
Shubman Gill played a masterful captain's knock with his second century of the series on the opening day of the second Test
England must win the fourth Test in Manchester to keep the series alive ahead of the fifth Test at the Oval in London.
'We obviously want to wheel him in, but we also want to respect where his body's at, and on the basis of that, we just felt that it wasn't worth including him in the squad.'
Trailing by 352, Ireland slumped to 18-2 and reached 97-3 at stumps as Tongue took all three wickets and finished with figures of 3-27.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 1st Test between England and India at Headingley in Leeds on Friday
Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his meteoric rise in international cricket with yet another outstanding overseas tour
In the absence of the injured Ollie Pope, big-hitting Harry Brook has been promoted to No 3 in what is a must-win Test for the hosts.
Gill, 25, was appointed captain in May following the retirement of two great Indian batsmen and leaders in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
India and England players will push their tired bodies on the line with everything to play for in the fifth and final Test starting at The Oval on Thursday
Siraj, Krishna, Akash Shine as India's Pace Future Takes Shape
Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 85 to guide Australia to 339/5 as England wasted favourable bowling conditions on the first day of the second Ashes Test.
Images from Day 2 of the fifth Test between England and India at The Oval, London, on Friday.
England spinner Rehan Ahmed has been added to the Ashes squad for the second Test against Australia.
K L Rahul drove his way to a sublime 47 after England negated India's advantage by totalling 465 in their first innings as the visitors had another ordinary day in the field on Day 3 of the first Test in Leeds on Sunday.
Gill's magnificence. Siraj and Akash's brilliance. Jadeja's class. Jaiswal and Rahul's success. Stokes' toss blunder. Root's failures.
